Hello August.

Hello August. Oh sweet summertime. The days of doing what I want and being “willy nilly” are coming to an end. I’m ok with it. I think. ;) To say I enjoy my summers off is an understatement. This one was so different. I have learned so much more about me and truly focused on all the things that make me happy. Relaxed more. Played more. Read more. Studied more. Laughed more. Focused more. Prayed more.

Waking up everyday. Drinking coffee with Dave. Workouts with my temple tribe. Bike rides with my sis. Lunch dates with Dave. Quality time with my kids. Jazzercise with my girl. Chatty car rides with my boys. Walks with my favorites. Spending time with my parents. Long, beautiful weekends at our happy place with family and friends. Soaking in all our blessings. Not taking this time for granted.

In all the business of life it’s hard to sit back and enjoy the little things. Life is so rushed. So hectic. Hustling around just trying to keep up. Trying to please everyone but in the process wearing yourself down. Do you feel this way? Is it hard to say no? Do you feel guilty if you don’t do all the things? It’s hard to find balance because today we strive for perfection in an imperfect world. Life was not intended to be lived in pure chaos. Our life is a gift. With no regret. To love fiercely. Living each day to the fullest. It’s not selfish. Making time to do what makes your soul content.

This August. It’s time. It’s time to stop comparing. Keeping up. It’s time to start focusing on making small changes to live fully. In the moment. Not perfectly. Just right. So now what? Here it is! A new month. A new chapter. A new beginning. A time to go after your GOALS. Dreams. Ambitions. Write them down. In ink. Post them to remember. Look at them daily. Start each day refreshed. Start a devotion. Read His word. Take time to breathe. Journal. Sit still.

If life gets hectic. Things happen unplanned. You forget to lay out chicken to thaw. Someone disappoints you. The kids go cray cray. You eat too many McDonald’s fries. Or that delicious Sonic blast. Someone steals your barbell you just set up. Takes your spot in Jazzercise. You just have a terrible awful no good very bad day. You? Stop. Pray. Learn to readjust your negative self talk, behavior and thinking into what gives you joy. Remember your “why”. Don’t give in. Stay strong. You can either allow yourself to spiral out of control or you can choose JOY.

I hope and pray this touches someone’s heart today. I needed to write and hear this. I am so beyond thankful and blessed that I can share my story with you.

One last thing. You are amazing. You are stunning. You are You. Beautiful. Incredible. You. You can do anything. Be anything. Accomplish anything. Even if you want to be a unicorn. Be a unicorn. Even a llamacorn. You can even be a freakin llamacorn! That’s just it. You. Can.

Xoxo,

Jme